Kelly shrugged. “Well, now you know we’ll do anything for you. Even if that means looking out for you when you don’t look out for yourself.”
He stared at her a minute and Kelly fully realized just how alone they were. They’d been alone at work, at lunch meetings, even in a plane when going to meet investors. But they had never been alone in such a capacity as this. There was something...very intimate about being in a romantic bungalow on an exotic beach with a man she’d been fantasizing about for years.
Could she actually pull this off?
If he was still peeved about being swept away on a forced holiday, she was going to have a difficult time taking a leap of faith with this man that she wanted as more than a boss. She would be sleeping only feet away from him. So close, yet so damn far...
Kelly could never, ever admit her feelings to Luke in a traditional setting. She valued him not only as her employer, but as a friend, and she wouldn’t risk her position at Wingate.
When Zeke came to her with a proposition to get Luke out of the office under the ruse of taking him to see an investor, Kelly knew she couldn’t let this golden opportunity pass her by. This was the only time they’d be together outside of the office for non-Wingate business. There would be no better option...and what better place than a romantic, tropical setting?
“Go pick your room,” she told him. “I’ll wait for the luggage.”
He turned and went into one room, then the other. Kelly waited in the entryway, wishing they would hurry with the luggage so she could change and explore that beach. She couldn’t wait to dip her toes into the sand and water and start her vacation. Though she was a messed-up bundle of anxiety, she hoped she didn’t lose her nerve after mentally preparing herself for weeks.
Luke came back out and sighed. Then he unbuttoned his sleeves and rolled them up onto his thick, muscular forearms.
If his bare arms were making her excited, she would be doomed when it came to seeing him in a bathing suit. She’d only seen Luke in dress clothes, or the occasional jeans and dress shirt, before.
“I’ll give you the room with the view of the ocean,” he informed her. “I’ll take the room with the garden view.”
Kelly jerked slightly. “You should take the room with the ocean view. The water is more relaxing and I’m so glad to be here, I’m certainly not complaining about a garden view.”
“That one has a Jacuzzi tub,” he said. “I wouldn’t use anything like that.”
She hadn’t thought about the bathrooms. But she wasn’t going to argue. She’d take whichever room he wanted her to.
There was a knock on the door, and Luke crossed to get the luggage. Once he had everything wheeled inside, along with a few extra items, and they were alone again, Kelly took her bag to her room.
“What’s all this?” Luke came to stand in her doorway, holding up shopping bags from the resort.
Kelly sat her suitcase up on the stand in the corner. “That’s the clothing I requested for you for the trip.”
Luke shook his head and sighed. “Who paid for this? You or Zeke?”
She held up her hand. “Just stop worrying about everything. Zeke is the financial backer here, but I’m coordinating all the needs on this end. Your job for the next five days is just to enjoy the view, the food, the drinks, and not think about a thing.”
His eyes held hers and Kelly held her breath, hoping he wouldn’t argue. She just wanted to have a carefree, relaxing time with him. Selfishly, she wanted Luke to see her as more than an assistant, but she still had to work her way up to that.
Physical attraction had been present from day one. But there was more to Luke that attracted her. He was loyal, kind, powerful, and devoted to his career and his family. There was no way she could’ve ignored that extra tug toward him as time had gone on and this might be her only chance to make her move.
Time was not on her side right now. But she couldn’t exactly attempt seduction on day one...could she?
“Fine,” he told her. “I’m all yours for the next five days.”
That’s what both thrilled and terrified her.
Three
“What the hell did you ask them to send me?” Luke yelled through the closed bedroom door.
There was no way he was stepping foot out of here, not wearing this embarrassing excuse for a bathing suit.
Why was he being punished? Wasn’t this supposed to be a relaxing trip? Nothing about this bag of clothes had him calming down. If Zeke was here, he’d likely be enjoying this misery a little too much.
Luke peeked at Kelly through the crack in the door. She stood on the other side wearing some floral cover-up and her long, red hair pulled up on top of her head. She had a beach towel tucked under one arm and her sunglasses perched in front of her bun. Now that was a beach look. What he had on was...hell, he didn’t even know what to call this.
Why did Kelly look like she’d just stepped off a magazine shoot while he looked like he was ready to participate in some indecent bachelor auction? Because his goods were definitely on display.